Café entertainment in Mexico
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A
El Lugar del Nopal
This sophisticated café-bar-cum-restaurant-cum-cultural center is a fervent supporter of local artists and an enchanting place at that, especially in the garden patio. It's known as a café cultural (cultural café). These places are probably the best way to experience Tijuana's independent arts and music scenes. It's tucked away in a residential area and is a bit hard to find but well worth the effort.
It offers music and art classes, and live music Wednesday through Saturday nights. It's also a super place to eat.
reviewed
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B
Segafredo
The Bologna-based chain expertly prepares all the espresso variations, from caffé latte fredo to macchiato con panna. Try a Caffé Maya, spiked with the Yucatecan anise liqueur Xtabentún. Attracted by wireless access, laptop-users often occupy the upper level, which has an open-air terrace attached.
reviewed
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C
Sanborns Café
During the day, Chilangos customarily meet at Sanborns Café for a business breakfast or lunch. After hours, this round-the-clock coffee shop makes a convenient port-of-call between clubs. It’s also considered a prime cruising locale, particularly the book-browsing section at the front.
reviewed
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D
Cibeles
This fashionable basement-style lounge bar stocks an extensive selection of quality whiskeys, mezcals and tequilas, or sip on a drink prepared with fresh-squeezed juice. DJs spin indie-rock tunes and retro hits with loungey beats, depending on what day of the week it is.
reviewed
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E
Cafetería Gabi’s
Cluttered with caffeine-related paraphernalia, this family-run coffeehouse buzzes with conversation midmornings and early evenings, when the occupants of neighboring offices pour in for a rich café con leche and a crispy banderilla (sticklike glazed pastry).
reviewed
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F
Clave Azul
For an authentic experience of Mexican drinking with accompanying botanas (tapas-like snacks served free with drinks, in this case between 1pm and 5pm), head to this artifact-filled, atmospheric cantina up a small alley to the left of Bossanova Café.
reviewed
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G
Café de Carlo
Coffee connoisseurs head for this unassuming sidewalk café, with an aromatic roaster and a vintage espresso machine. Across the street is a relic of 1950s Roma, La Bella Italia. It’s an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that sees few customers these days.
reviewed
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H
Hard Rock Café
In the Centro Magno shopping center, this is your typical Hard Rock, with guitars on the walls and Tex-Mex burgers on the menu. Hidden inside, however, is a 1000-seat auditorium that hosts international groups (check with Ticket Master for bands and showtimes).
reviewed
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I
Los Enanos del Tapanco
Possibly Mexico City’s coolest café, the ‘Dwarves of the Loft’ doubles as an art gallery. Cappuccinos and quiches are served along with an eclectic music selection. There’s live music Friday and storytelling Tuesday evening.
reviewed
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J
Café El Jarocho
This immensely popular joint churns out M$11 cappuccinos for long lines of java hounds. As there’s no seating inside, people have their coffee standing in the street or sitting on curbside benches. Another branch is near Viveros park.
reviewed
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Café La Fé
Between the museum and zócalo, this coffee shop and juice bar is a great place for a drink after having scaled the cliffside to visit the Aztec ruins. Everything sold on site is 100% organic, including locally grown coffee beans.
reviewed
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K
Café La Habana
This grand coffeehouse is a traditional haunt for writers and journalists, who linger for hours over a café americano. Legend has it that Fidel and Che plotted strategy here prior to the Cuban revolution.
reviewed
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L
Au Pied de Chameau
You take your chances ordering food - a mix of nueva cocina Mexicana and international fusion dishes - but the gorgeous space covered in African and Asian art is great for after-dinner drinks.
reviewed
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M
Da Vinci Café
A bohemian upstairs spot with an art gallery, great views of the Plaza de Armas, and live trova or ballads Tuesday and Thursday nights. It serves nothing but a variety of good coffee drinks.
reviewed
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Café Villa de Madrid
With just a few sidewalk tables at the top of Plaza Villa de Madrid, this longtime storefront operation roasts beans from the family finca (farm) in Chiapas. They also roll their own cigars.
reviewed
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Dalí
This tranquilo café/bar attracts a crowd of intellectuals for coffee, wine, mixed drinks and hookahs. Grab one of the pillow-covered corners and you'll melt right in.
reviewed
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Casa de la Cultura
This old megalith just north of the plaza, has a quiet courtyard, ample public chill space, rotating contemporary art exhibits and it has the word on upcoming concerts and events.
reviewed
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Green Mug
This sleek, indie coffee house is Starbucks’ main competition on Chapultepec. There are leather sofas, flat screen TVs and free wi-fi, all enjoyed by a young, hip crowd.
reviewed
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Café Jakemir
Run by a family of Lebanese coffee traders from Orizaba, this old distribution outlet, now transformed into a popular café, has excellent and inexpensive cappuccinos.
reviewed
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Café Bola de Oro
An outlying branch of the Xalapa coffee purveyor, this is a good place to score a bag of Coatepec beans or simply enjoy a cup of Veracruz’ fine, full-bodied blends.
reviewed
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T
Jungle Juice
This cantina-style place in the Zona Dorada offers exotic fruit drinks and a breezy nook upstairs. There’s live music Friday and Saturday, plus karaoke on Sunday.
reviewed
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U
Café San Angel
Start your day in this artsy, relaxed café, which has sidewalk tables filled with gringos sitting pretty, sipping black coffee and nibbling on snacks and sweets.
reviewed
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V
Antigua Bodega de Papel
Another great café for hanging out on the edge and tapping the local music and arts scene, this place has a small deli and live Latin jams, trova and more.
reviewed
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W
Caffé Toscano
This sidewalk café opens onto a delightful corner of Parque México, making a fine setting for a latte and the morning paper – grab one off the rack.
reviewed
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X
La Lucha
The dark, arched interior and the black-and-white photos on the wall give the place gravitas and will entice you to sit down with some good coffee.
reviewed
